Dear Gary;
Each person finds their place of solace and
peace, a refuge to hide and gain strength to carry
on. This is part of life, it only becomes a problem
when it is not carried out in moderation, as all
things. Too much of anything leads to a whole
new set of problems.
When we stay in hiding for too long it becomes
a way of life. Wherever we are in our lives is
directly due to the choices we have made along
the way. From those choices we learn valuable
lessons, sometimes the least of which is to make
better choices.
Each of us must find our own way, as it is a
very personal journey. We can listen, observe
and even envy the peace that others have found,
but it makes no difference in our own lives. The
peace has to be found within, as that is where
our spirit resides.
Some people find this peace in religion, as
Kristian's epiphony, others in spirituality. It matters
not. Whatever works is right for you.
Kristian said that we could all agree on one
truth..... I don't know about that. I personally feel
that all of life is perspective. My truth is just that,
mine. It is meant for me as it follows my perspective.
Being secure and at peace with that truth means
that I don't need to shout it from the highest hill
to get everyone else to believe it....hehehe. I
had my days of doing that, which is why I can
laugh. I was sure that my way was the only way
and anyone who couldn't see that was just not
looking and doomed for disaster. Whoa, the
foolishness of youth. However, even that was a
lesson, in that I can understand where others' are
coming from when they proclaim "their truth" as
the only way. Now I can listen, observe, think
about it and then move along, taking what feels
right and leaving the rest for those who believe
in their "truth".
What I have found Gary in over 20 years of
study and teaching (I won't say how much over
twenty years....hehehe), is that everything comes
from within, not without. It is great to take classes
and listen to what others have to say, if that is what
leads you to your higher self and your own answers.
However, I have found that just a quiet surrounding,
meditation and simple soul searching, have worked
best for me.
There is no short cut to enlightenment, at
least I have not found one, or met anyone who did.
This world is always waiting for that magic pill,
special machine or special seminar to simply
flip a switch and presto "enlightenment". I don't
believe that will ever happen, but I will keep an
eye open. It is a long steady process, even the
things I have learned I have to reminded of from
time to time.
In the meantime my personal take on "new
age gadgets and seminars" is, that if it costs
money (other than the purchase of a simple book)
it is not for me. I feel that you can't put a price
tag on spirituality. I do have a book on the web
which might help, and it is free. Just go to my
web site and read it or download it. It doesn't
have all the answers, but it does have a pretty
good overview of our emotions and what most of
us go through in this lifetime.
The other thing I can tell you is this; when
I was first learning to meditate I had a terrible
time. I tried every technic and nothing worked.
It took me two years to finally learn, and the technic
I used was taught to me by my spirit guide. During
the frustrating times, the times when you wonder
if you are just spinning your wheels or not, I kept
going back to my "point of belief". This kept me
going until I was able to achieve my goal.
We are each given a point of belief somewhere
along the way. As we grow there are more points,
almost like roadsigns marking our path. They are
varied and very personal. For me it was always a
place to go, which gave me the faith to keep going.
Kristian, no one on this list is going to persecute
you for being Christian. In fact, most of us have
probably been there at one time or another. You
are entitled to your beliefs, just as I am entitled
to mine. We should all be able to get along and
learn to live in harmony celebrating the differences
and learning from each other along the way.
Love and Peace,
Lorri O:)
www.pyramidtlc.org
